Planta Med 2001; 67(4): 364-366
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14333
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Inhibition of Interleukin-12 Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Mouse Macrophages by Hpyericin, an Active Component of Hypericum perforatum

Bok Yun Kang1, 2 , Su Wol Chung1 , Tae Sung Kim1, 2,*
  • 1 College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Kwangju, Republic of Korea
  • 2 GenoCheck Co., Ltd., Ansan, Republic of Korea
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

June 2, 2000

December 2, 2000

Publikationsdatum:
31. Dezember 2001 (online)

Abstract

Hypericin, an active component of Hypericum perforatum, was evaluated for the regulation of interleukin-12 (IL-12) production in mouse macrophages. Hypericin significantly inhibited IL-12 production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 1.45 μg/ml). Furthermore, hypericin potently inhibited the activation of IL-12 gene promoter, suggesting that hypericin negatively regulated IL-12 production at the transcription level. These results may explain some known biological activities of hypericin including its anti-rheumatic effect.

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Tae Sung Kim, Ph.D.

Immunology Laboratory

College of Pharmacy

Chonnam National University

Kwangju 500-757

Republic of Korea

eMail: taekim@chonnam.chonnam.ac.kr

Fax: 82-62-530-2911